Wall casing



Feb. 27, 1968 B. M. LIVERMORE 3,370,390

WALL CASING Filed Jan. 28, 1965 fls 14 w INVENT OR BRUCE M. LIVERMORE ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,370,390 WALL CASING Bruce INI. Livermore, 1424 Howard St., Chicago, Ill. 60626 Filed Jan. 28, 1965, Ser. No. 428,725 Claims. (Cl. 52-287) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A wall casing provided at the juncture of a wall and ceiling and which includes an open sided channel between the ceiling and the upper boundary of a wall panel, providing a separation between the ceiling and wall.

At the present time, the interior walls and ceilings of buildings are generally fabricated of plaster or so called dry wall. Where plaster is used, it is often diflicult to obtain a uniform line of juncture between the wall and ceiling. In addition, this juncture is subject to cracks after the plaster has hardened, thus providing an unsightly appearance. A further difficulty occurring when constructing ceiling and walls of plaster is the diliiculty in establishing a uniform strike-01f line for the plaster.

Where dry wall construction is used, other problems arise. The juncture between wall and ceiling is so irregular that a molding or other joint element is used to provide a regular juncture line of relatively pleasing appearance between the wall and ceiling. Further, it is often desirable to provide a covering on a wall, in order to enhance its beauty and durability. Wall coverings of the sheet type comprise wall paper and plastic material such as vinyl. In addition, tile is often used, in either block or sheet form, and is set into plaster. In any case, it is difficult to establish a regular and uniform line at which these wall coverings are to stop, so that to provide a uniform and pleasing terminal edge for the wall covering, much time and effort, or an expensive joint, must be utilized.

An object of the present invention is to provide a wall casing for use at the juncture between a wall and ceiling.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a wall casing which will avoid corner cracks and other irregularities between a wall and ceiling.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a stop line of great uniformity for wall coverings.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a trim or cutting line for wall coverings.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention will be readily understood from the following specification and drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of walls and ceiling structure including a wall casing in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view to an enlarged scale of a wall and ceiling with a wall casing in accordance with the present invention installed therein.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view showing an alternate embodiment of the wall casing of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like or corresponding reference numerals are given to like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIG. 1 a portion of a room generally designated 10, and comprising a floor 11, walls 12 and 13 and a ceiling 14. Each wall may be constructed of studs 16 and plaster 17, for example. Plaster 17 has a wall covering 18 applied thereto, and this wall covering may be wall paper, plastic sheeting, etc. Further, while FIG. 1 indicates that the wall element 17 is plaster, it may instead be dry wall, or any other similar wall or partition material.

Patented Feb. 27, 1968 The ceiling 14, which is shown partially completed, comprises the rafter 19.

A wall casing generally designated 20 is installed at the juncture of wall 13 and ceiling 14. The wall casing 20, as is best seen in FIG. 2, comprises a pair of spaced, generally parallel plates 21 and 22 which are joined by a back web 23. The plates 21 and 22 and back web 23 thereby provide a channel structure which is open at one side. Plate 22 has a transverse lip 24 depending from the edge thereof which is remote from back web 23. Plate 21 has at the edge thereof remote from back web 23 a lip 26. Lip 26 is inclined slightly towards the plane of back web 23, and has a wing 27 extending from the edge thereof which is remote from plate 21, wing 27 being gen erally parallel to plate 21 and in offset relation to it. Wing 27 is provided with holes, such as hole 28, to accommodate nails, screws or other fastening elements to thereby secure the wall casing 20 to the rafter 19. Such a fas tening element 29 is shown extending through the hole 28.

A second wing'31'extends from back web 23, and lies generally in the plane thereof. Wing 31 is generally parallel to and spaced from the lip 24.

Back web 23 and wing 31 are provided with holes, such as the hole 32, for receiving fastening elements such as element 33 to assist in securing wall casing 20 to the studs 16.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the wings 27 and 31 are of expanded metal lath in part, and this construction is utilized where the wall panels and ceiling are of plaster. Where dry wall, sheet rock or similar wall panels are utilized, the wings 27 and 31 need not be of expanded metal. Further, it will be understood that the building trades have substantially standardized on the thickness of various walls, and the dimensions of the wall casing 20 will 'be varied to suit the particular construction of wall with which it will be used. Thus, the width of plate 22 between back web 23 and lip 24 is approximately that of the plaster 17, and may be approximately that of any wall panel used, such as dry wall, sheet rock and the like. The back web, such as 23, is narrow, as may be seen from the drawing.

The wall casing 20 provides for a regular and continuous line of separation between walls of any construction and a ceiling of any construction. Thus, the aesthetic appearance of the room embodying the wall casing 20 is greatly improved. The juncture between the walls and ceiling will not be marred by cracks, where plaster is utilized, nor is additional molding necessary as with previous constructions. The wall covering 18 may be applied and there is provided for it a uniform trim line at the lip 24 so that wall covering 18 may be trimmed to give a neat and pleasing appearance. As will be understood, where tile is utilized, it will occupy the position generally indicated by the dotted line on FIG. 2, thereby obtaining a uniform juncture with the lower edge of the lip 24.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a wall casing generally designated 40, and being of substantially the same construction as wall casing 20, with the exception that the plate 42 thereof is downwardly and rearwardly inclined from the lip 44 to the lower edge of the back web 43. This construction, while having all of the advantages of the wall casing 20, in addition permits the reception and holding of a picture hanger on the plate 42.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore the invention is not limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A wall casing for installation at the juncture of a wall and ceiling comprising a pair of spaced, generally 3 parallel plates joined by a back Web, said plates and Web defining an open sided narrow channel, a transverse lip at the edge of one said plate remote from said back web, a second transverse lip at the remote edge of the other of said plates and having a terminal edge remote from said other plate, said first plate being approximately as 7 Wide from web to lip as the thickness of a wall panel, a wing extending from said terminal edge of said second lip, said wing being generally parallel to said plate and in offset relation thereto, and a second wing extending from said back web generally in the plane thereof and in spaced relation to said first mentioned lip whereby said casing when installed provides a line of separation between a wall and ceiling.

2. A Wall casing for installation at the juncture of a wall and ceiling comprising a pair of spaced, generally parallel plates joined by a back web, said plates and web defining an open sided narrow channel, a transverse lip at the edge of one said plate remote from said back web, a second transverse lip at the remote edge of the other of said plates and having a terminal edge remote from said other plate, said first plate being approximately as wide from web to lip as the thickness of a wall panel, a Wing extending from said terminal edge of said second lip, said wing being generally parallel to said plate, and in offset relation thereto, and a second wing extending from said back Web generally in the plane thereof and in spaced relation to said first mentioned lip, said wings being expanded metal at least in part whereby said casing when installed provides a line of separation between a wall and ceiling.

3. A wall casing for installation at the juncture of a wall and ceiling comprising a pair of spaced, generally parallel plates joined by a back web, said plates and web defining an open sided narrow channel, a transverse lip at the edge of one said plate remote from said back web, a second transverse lip at the remote edge of the other of said plates inclined so as to partially overlie said other plate and having a terminal edge remote from said other plate, said first plate being approximately as wide from web to lip as the thickness of a wall panel, a wing extending from said terminal edge of said second lip, said wing being generally parallel to said other plate and in oifset relation thereto, and a second wing extending from said back web generally in the plane thereof and in spaced relation to said first mentioned lip whereby said casing 'when installed provides a line of separation between a wall and ceiling.

4. A wall casing for installation at the juncture of a wall and ceiling comprising a pair of spaced plates joined by a back web, said plates and web defining an open sided narrow channel, a transverse lip at the edge of one said plate remote from said back web, a second transverse lip at the remote edge of the other of said plates and having a terminal edge remote from said other plate, said first plate being approximately as wide from web to lip as the thickness of a Wall panel, a wing extending from said terminal edge of said second lip, said wing being generally parallel to said plate and in ofiset relation thereto, and a second wing extending from said back web generally in the plane thereof and in spaced relation to said rst mentioned lip whereby said casing when installed provides a line of separation between a wall and ceiling.

5. The wall casing of claim 4, said plates being substantially parallel.

6. The wall casing of claim 4, the said edge of said one plate being closer to said other plate than is the juncture of said one plate with said back web.

7. In combination, a wall casing installed at the juncture of a wall and ceiling comprising an upper horizontal plate and a lower plate joined by a vertical back web, said plates and web providing an open sided narrow channel, a vertical support, means securing said back Web substantially directly to said support, a depending lip at the edge of said lower plate remote from said back Web, an upwardly extending lip at the remote edge of the upper plate, said first plate being approximately as wide from web to lip as the thickness of a wall panel, wall panel means only beneath said lower plate, and ceiling means abutting said upwardly extending lip on the side thereof remote from said back web, said channel thereby providing a line of separation between said wall and said ceiling.

8. The combination of claim 7, and a wing extending in the plane of said back Web and lying between said stud and said wall means.

9. The combination of claim 7, said upstanding lip being inclined and partially overlying said upper plate.

10. The combination of claim 7, and a horizontal wing extending from the edge of said upstanding lip away from said back web.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 585,106 6/1897 Kelly 5227 1,055,758 3/1913 Knapp 5227 1,676,582 7/1928 Stuart 5227 2,298,251 10/1942 Burson 5227 1,886,320 11/1932 Waite 52254 1,950, 34 3/1934 Sie-benlist 52 254' 2,151,605 3/1939 Lavering 52254 X 2,728,957 1/ 1956 Keller 524288 3,047,112 7/1962 Tvorik et al 52288 3,206,806 9/1965 Powell 52288 FOREIGN PATENTS 568,363 12/ 1958 Canada.

1,248,986 11/1960" France.

OTHER REFERENCES Herron-Zirnmers Moulding Co. Publication, Moulding of Metal, received in the Patent Office Feb. 2, 1939, page 8.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner. R, A STENZEL, R. S. VERMUT, Assistant Examiners. 

